Residents warned on cold call traders

Residents are being warned not to fall victim to poor traders offering outdoor work then not completing the jobs.

The message comes after people in Lowton and Leigh were duped into paying for services which they either did not receive or were poorly carried out.

In Lowton an older resident paid £350 in cash to have their driveway jet washed, repaired and sealed. But the job was only partially done with the traders leaving after saying the jet washer was broken and never returned.

Meanwhile in Leigh a resident agreed to resurfacing work to be carried on their driveway and paid £1,400 for the work. The trader demanded cash half way through the job, threatening to leave waste on the drive if the money was not paid. The job was then finished to a poor standard and the trader no longer responds to requests to make the necessary repairs.

Both incidents are believed to be connected and in both cases the traders are described as a young man in his 20s with an older man with a bald head. They were seen driving a white transit van and a white pickup van. The vehicles had DRIVEWAYS written on the bonnet.

Councillor Kevin Anderson, portfolio holder for environment, said: “We always urge people to be very cautious about cold calling traders. The services being offered are often poor quality, unnecessary, overpriced and could possibly even cause damage to your property. Genuine traders will give you paperwork including a right to cancel and will not demand upfront cash payments.

“A much better alternative is to use the Wigan Trading Standards Good Trader Scheme were you can find reputable tradespeople.”

If residents are concerned about traders cold calling in the area, they should contact Trading Standards via the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Services helpline on 03454 040506.